CMSB v3.69 Beta (Website Backup)

Hi everyone,

We're excited to announce the release of a new beta version of CMS Builder, which includes a new section: Admin > Backup > Website Backup

This feature allows you to quickly create a zip file of your entire website and database, save it on the server, and optionally download it through your browser. You have the flexibility to choose between backing up everything or only specific code files (*.php, .js, .css, etc.), and a snapshot of the database is also included by default. Here's how this feature can benefit you:

• Faster backups: Downloading numerous files via FTP can be time-consuming. It's not uncommon for us to initiate a website backup and then switch to other tasks while waiting for it to finish. With this new feature, creating a zip file and downloading it through your browser takes mere seconds, allowing you to create snapshots of website changes as frequently as needed.
• Reduced backup size: We offer the option to backup only code files (*.php, .js, .css, etc.) or everything, and since the files are compressed into a zip, they consume significantly less space on your hard drive. Code file backups are particularly handy when you want to keep track of code changes over time.
• Simplified change history: You can name your backups with descriptions like "before new revisions" or "post launch," providing you with static backups at specific points in time. This makes it easy to compare and retrieve an old file if necessary or to investigate changes. Backup zips can be easily unzipped and compared using your preferred diff/compare app (I personally use WinMerge on Windows). Additionally, since we're taking a snapshot of the database, you'll even be able to see changes in the database data between backups.

I'll note that git and modern source control tools are great, and we use them on larger projects, but when you don't have that option, this feature provides a great alternative.

I'm particularly interested if anyone has a server without the ZipArchive PHP library we're using, it often comes bundled with PHP but might not be everywhere.  If you don't have it it will display an error message. I'm also curious about default server timeouts.  Give this is a try and let me know if it doesn't work on your server.

Here's the changelog.

*** April 25, 2024 - Version 3.69 (Website Backup)

SERVER REQUIREMENTS: PHP 8.0+ and MySQL 5.7+ (or MariaDB 10.2+)

NEW FEATURES
- Website Backup: New feature to backup your entire website, including files and database (under: Admin > Backup)

MINOR CHANGES & BUG FIXES
- Added improved error reporting and instructions when Composer dependencies are not installed
- Misc Code and other minor improvements.

You can download the latest beta here: https://www.interactivetools.com/download/

Please feel free to ask any questions or post any feedback, questions, concerns, or bugs you find! 

Thanks, we look forward to your feedback! :)